The Love Of Christ

February 20, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV

There is nothing greater in this world than the love of Jesus Christ. We can spend our whole lives seeking to find happiness and contentment in the things of this world…yet this world is not our home.

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, who was the wisest and wealthiest person to ever live, documented his efforts to try everything under the sun and found that the things of this world are not worth chasing…meaningless! However, the things of God are the things we should spend our life pursuing. Think about what Jesus Christ did for you…nobody and nothing in this world will love you like that.

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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

(This photo was taken in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Humility…Gratitude

February 17, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Father God, when we are overwhelmed by the brokenness and darkness we see, help us to remember You are near. You are in control. We can’t stop all the pain and injustice we witness, yet we can help overcome evil by doing good. Please help us to do that. Give us the courage and humility to love other people well. In Jesus name, Amen.

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^{15 “}Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in northern Colorado)

His Way Is Better Than Our Ways

February 13, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

Father God, please instruct us and teach us as we seek to live a life that honors You. Guide us into our calling, and lovingly correct our mistakes. We know You are good and You are working for good in our lives. Thank You for listening to us and never giving up on us. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken while walking the dog in a neighborhood near Plymouth, MN)

Faith…Holy Living…Peace

February 11, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Trust In God

February 10, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Father God, You are our source of strength and hope. You are able to overcome our fears with Your love. With You, all things are possible. So we will place our hope and trust in You. Even when everything around us seems to crumble, we will trust and not be afraid…for we know our future is secure with You. Thank You for Your peace, Your mercy and Your love. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Saved By Grace

February 9, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

^{8 “}For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

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^{14 “}The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Persevere

February 7, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4 NIV

Father God, please give us strength to run the race of faith. Often times darkness in this world will bring us many forms of struggle and we are easily distracted and drift away from You. Fill us with courage to stay close to You and trust in Your promises…even when…especially when we can’t see clearly. You are the source of our endurance to keep going, when we get knocked back or pushed down we know we can trust in You and keep running the race of faith. Thank You for all You do for us. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

God’s Promises

February 5, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.“

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

Father God, Your Word is filled with promises for my life. Often times my circumstances distract me from Your faithfulness. As I read and re-read Your promises fill me with comfort and peace that surpasses understanding because I believe You are working for good at all times. In Jesus name, Amen.

You Say by Lauren Daigle

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“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Name Of Jesus

February 4, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

Father God, You gave us Your Son, the Light of the world. Give us courage and strength to call out His name. Thank You Father God.

Jesus, regardless of what we face, we want to experience a personal relationship with You. Thank You for everything You did and are continuing to do for us. We need You, we believe in You, we trust You and we and we ask for Your guidance in all things and at all times. Thank You for Your everlasting love. In Your Holy name we pray, Amen.

What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship

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“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Humility

February 3, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

^{14 “}if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Good and Gracious God, please show me the things I am withholding from You. I want to walk humbly with You. Teach me to prioritize Your ways over my ways. No matter how difficult the circumstances, I want to deny my self-centered desires and seek You first. In Jesus name, Amen.

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